Here’s what we know so far. Whoever the antagonist is, they agree with us. Tomoyo is best girl.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card
Studio: Madhouse
Genre: Magical Girl

CVoyage: Seriously. You try explaining why they keep dragging her into things.

EvilBob: She seems to be the only person other than Sakura who can see any of this stuff happening.

EvilBob: Or maybe…

CVoyage: What?

EvilBob: Okay, hear me ou-

CVoyage: No.

EvilBob: You didn’t even hear what I was gonna say!

CVoyage: One word – ninja.

EvilBob: Okay, that theory was gold and you know it.

CVoyage: Fool’s gold, maybe…

EvilBob: …Can you not let me have anything?

CVoyage: Sure. Just come up with something worth having. Now, then. Onto the review!

EvilBob: Ya caught up on the original, yet?

CVoyage: Nope!

EvilBob: How unexpected…

CVoyage

So, here’s the thing. I’m… really not sure how much I can honestly say about this from an objective and critical point of view. The show has begun to settle into the formula it’s no doubt going to be using throughout the remainder of at least this story arc. And that’s perfectly fine because it’s a charming, fun formula, very reminiscent of the original show… at least what I remember of it. Though one has to wonder if literally everyone in this show knows what’s going on except Sakura and Yukito.

Eriol’s clearly involved, somehow. And Syaoran’s also acting all mysterious and stuff. It’s clearly there to make us wonder what the deal is so we’ll tune in next time and see all the mysteries unravel. Then there’s the big thing – bringing attention to the very odd detail of that cloaked figure being about Sakura’s height. That just seems weirdly specific.

But aside from that, one can’t really pick into the show that much. I can joke all day about how apparently this school doesn’t have a camera system. And apparently, Sakura is literally the only kid in the entire school, who looked out the window when the tree thing was going on in episode 4. Or that no one noticed the crashing sound they made when Sakura and Tomoyo went to investigate. A sound so loud it shook the screen. Seriously. How has this girl not been outed, by now? But, as a college professor of mine would often say “don’t pull at that thread, our whole world would unravel.” So whatever. Not really a big deal.

Overall, though, I think the two episodes actually hold up pretty well in terms of what they accomplish. I like seeing more of the relationship between Sakura and Syaoran. As much as I like seeing Sakura hanging out with the rest of her friends. The cards were also pretty interesting, this time. Though I have to admit that I was clearly dead wrong about this show’s pace. It was clearly just the one episode that slowed down. Because these two move like lightning, by comparison. Eh. Such is life.

EvilBob

It was nice to see non-elemental cards this time.  It’s cards like the Action card that make this show fun. There are so many things you can do with a card like that. I mean it just made an army out of trees on its own. Imagine what she could do with that thing. She had the Sword, Jump, and Power cards last time. I wonder what other interesting things we’ll see this go-around.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about the new girl, Akiho. Now, usually, when they add a new character in Cardcaptor Sakura, we know what it means.

But Akiho, at least for now, shows none of the signs of being the antagonist. Well… aside from the vague hint about the cloaked one being around Sakura’s height. But, I just wanna point out again. Tomoyo is-

CVoyage: No.

This isn’t even the discussion part! What are you doing in here?!

CVoyage: I’m the editor, remember? I am god here.

But then who sent us back that one time and-

CVoyage: Shut up.

…I’mma just get on with my point, now. So Akiho is adorable! If she turns out to be an antagonist, I’d actually be surprised. But the possibility is there. After all, Yukito and Kero can’t sense any magic in the Clear Cards. So it’s possible whoever sent them would be the same way. Buuut no one can sense any magic from Tomo-

CVoyage: *stare*…

Moving on. Discussion time!

Discussion

EvilBob: So who do you think the villain’s gonna be?

CVoyage: Akiho.

EvilBob: What? Her? But she’s so cute! Why her?

CVoyage: Because I’m a cynical arse who ruins things for people.

EvilBob: …Point.

CVoyage: Don’t get me wrong. I hope it isn’t her. Because that would be the most obvious thing in the history of ever.

EvilBob: Uh… Eriol.

CVoyage: …Point. But still. From a writer’s perspective, though. It’d just be unfathomably easy for it to be her. Now, she could just be a red herring. But let’s be real, here. If there is one thing Cardcaptor Sakura has never been, it’s subtle.

EvilBob: So now we know a few things about all this. Whoever’s behind this is about Sakura’s height, apparently doesn’t want to kill her-

CVoyage: Though they’re putting on a pretty good show if that’s the case…

EvilBob: And if that’s the case, they’re training her for something serious.

CVoyage: Also, they’re Tomoyo fans.

EvilBob: And, really, who wouldn’t be? The girl knows what’s important. The costumes. Because these two costumes were great. I especially liked the frog one.

CVoyage: Right? Sometimes I wonder if this series only exists as an excuse for the character designer to just crank out costume ideas.

EvilBob: That wouldn’t surprise me. At all. Anyway, I would say episode 3 is about as evil as a Villain (9). It was nice that it included two cards and we got a little more action out of these than the last two, keeping things exciting. Episode 4 is on about the same level, actually. I enjoyed both of them equally. Though this one was more funny than action-y. The least I can say is that this show is consistently enjoyable. Tag, you’re it.

CVoyage: I’d say this series continues going strong, keeping things funny and also delivering a bit more of that excitement EvilBob was talking about. There’s a little intrigue that has the potential to defy convention, at least a little bit. And, as per usual, the relationships between characters are what sell me on everything else. Sakura’s friendship with Tomoyo, her relationship with Syaoran, their little dialogues with their circle of friends, all just good fun. And it really reminds me of that Saturday Morning cartoon feel. What can I say but these episodes continue the trend of Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card being Super Effective?

EvilBob: And since we’re on the subject, who’s looking to get into the dub? It just aired Wednesday and the twins, over on Bulletoon Weekly, have the scoop on that. Check it out for yourself.

CVoyage: And if you can’t wait that long to get your Cardcaptor Sakura fix, then fret not. The subbed version is Simulcast on Crunchyroll, Saturdays at 8:00pm EST.

EvilBob: That’s pretty much all we’ve got for you today. Thanks for letting us waste your time, people.

CVoyage: As always, thanks for reading, folks. Remember to keep up the awesome.

EvilBob: And keep it classy.

CVoyage: Take care.